Masks are no longer mandatory in transport in Spain this Wednesday, given the evolution of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country, the Spanish Minister of Health, Carolina Darias, announced today.
The minister invoked the “enormous stability” of the epidemiological situation of Covid-19 in Spain, with a “clear downward trend”, as well as the opinion of experts and various advisory bodies heard by the Spanish Government.
Spain was one of the few European countries that maintained the obligation to wear masks on public transport, due to Covid-19.
Masks will, however, continue to be mandatory in health centers and services (for visitors and professionals) and in pharmacies, as explained today by the Minister for Health, who was speaking at the end of the Council of Ministers meeting. that approved this change in the rules for combating and controlling the Covid-19 pandemic in Spain.
Carolina Darias stressed that the experts, in their opinions, recommend, however, a “responsible use” of the masks, that is, by those who present symptoms of severe respiratory infection, in closed spaces with a large concentration of people or in contact with patients and other vulnerable people. people.
The Spanish Government had already said, at the end of January, that it was going to bring forward the end of the mandatory nature of masks in transport, after having said in previous statements that it was considering maintaining this rule until spring, when the period arrives. of increased respiratory activity. infections, which coincides with the colder months.
However, in recent weeks, several experts have said that the mandatory mask in transport is no longer justified, given the stable situation of Covid-19 in recent months, even after the Christmas and New Year holidays, which in previous years resulted in an increase in infections
According to a report by the Spanish National Epidemiological Surveillance Network published on January 20, the incidence of flu in Spain almost doubles that of Covid-19.
In the second week of January, the incidence of influenza was 102 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in Spain, while that of Covid-19 was 59 cases.
As Minister Carolina Darias said today, this incidence of Covid-19 now stands at 50.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, while patients hospitalized with the disease in Spain represent 1.6% of all hospital beds. and 1.7% of those in intensive care.
These are the lowest figures ever verified in relation to the pandemic, justified the minister, who argued that the positive evolution of the pandemic in Spain is due to the high vaccination rate against Covid-19.
According to the report released on January 20, the epidemiological impact of the flu has returned after three years of the Covid-19 pandemic, especially after the end of the mandatory use of masks in Spain in most spaces, in April 2022.
In addition to the flu and Covid-19, the incidence of other respiratory diseases, such as bronchitis, bronchiolitis or acute lung infections, has also increased in Spain.
The incidence rate of all respiratory diseases was 751 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, according to the same document.
Source: TSF
